Farming Today

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Farming Today: 30/09/20 - Beef slaughter age, seaweed rum and rural tourism in COVID times.

US secretary of agriculture, EFRA Committee reports, haricot beans

30/09/20 - Beef slaughter age, seaweed rum and rural tourism in COVID times.

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 30/09/20 - Beef slaughter age, seaweed rum and rural tourism in COVID times.

Should cattle go for slaughter at a younger age?

The National Beef Association is suggesting farmers should send their cattle for slaughter at a younger age, to reduce the impact of beef production on the environment.

Intensive beef production has been in the spotlight for its carbon footprint and there have been many people encouraging us to eat less beef. The National Beef Association is now suggesting farmers should send their cattle for slaughter at a younger age, to reduce the impact of beef production on the environment and they are proposing a tax on animals raised for more than 28 months. The NBA believes slaughtering cattle at a younger age would free up more land to increase domestic production, since we currently only produce 75% of our beef. The proposals have been put out for consultation to their members across the country, but it’s received short shrift from some, especially from beef farmers who have pasture-fed slower growing cattle, including rare breeds. We explore the debate.

The first offshore commercial seaweed farm is about to go into production off the Yorkshire coast to satisfy growing demand. We find out more.

And rural businesses running self-catering accommodation in Scotland have criticised the Scottish Government for the severe disruption caused by Covid restrictions. There’s been confusion for people who had booked breaks but are now unsure what is allowed.

Presented by Anna Hill
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

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30/09/20 - Beef slaughter age, seaweed rum and rural tourism in COVID times.

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